India down Malaysia, Pak suffer big loss

Despite India registering a 5-2 victory over Malaysia in the Azlan Shah Cup today, Indian captain Arjun Halappa said that there was a period during the match where the team’s performance was below par and it needs to work on some aspects.

“There is nothing like a comfortable lead in modern-day hockey even when you are ahead 4-1 at half-time,” Halappa said after India managed to ward off a determined second-half rally from Malaysia. India led 4-1 at half-time, but saw Malaysia pull back another goal soon after the interval and goalkeeper Bharat Chetri had to ward off four shots at the goal before India registered their second victory in four outings of the ongoing tournament.

India have drawn one after starting with a loss in the opening game.

“We played poorly in the first 15 minutes of the second half. There are areas on which we need to work harder,” said Halappa.

He, however, expressed satisfaction at the turn of events in the competition, after their defeat at the hands of South Korea in the first match where India squandered a 2-0 lead to lose 2-3.

India’s victory today was sweet avenge for the twice defending champions in the tournament, where their only defeat in last year’s event was against hosts Malaysia in a league encounter.

The jinx

Their next game will be against arch-rivals India. Pakistan, who lost 1-5 to Australia on Monday, are hoping to exploit absence of drag-flicker Sandeep Singh in the Indian team to end their four-match losing streak against the traditional rivals, when they clash on Wednesday.

After recording two victories, Pakistan’s suffered back-to-back defeats against Britain and Australia and are hoping to bring their campaign back on track with win against India.

Pakistan skipper Muhammad Imran said his side is determined to see that they do not suffer fifth consecutive defeat against India. “We are fully confident of breaking the jinx against India this time. Tomorrow is the rest day and we will assess our mistakes and will do the best against them,” Imran said.

India had defeated Pakistan in the World cup, Delhi CWG, Azlan Shah and Guangzhou Asian games last year. Pakistan, though, clinched the Asian games gold and ticket to London Olympic 2012 whereas India had a bronze medal finish.